Well Fran you still have a few years to go to catch up to me, and I hope you never do. If you happen to catch up, that would really be bad news for this old man.

My grandson, who had his 3rd birthday in June, tips the scales at 46 pounds, he's 43-inches tall, and I can still pick him up with one arm. Yesterday we were doing push-ups together (he can do more than me) then took a walk through the neighborhood for a couple miles. So, I guess I'm still in fairly good shape for my 70 years, and I can still single-handedly sail a 27-foot Catalina, which anyone that has sailed can tell you requires a fair degree of physical strength.

There was a time when I lugged 105-pound speakers around and didn't use a hand-cart. I also lugged a 55-pound keyboard and more accessories than anyone can imagine. Since then, speakers got lighter and more efficient, keyboards got lighter and sound much better, and because of this, my van is now lighter and more efficient. Tt seems that the only thing that consistently got heavier and less efficient were people.

Diki is still relatively young and can readily handle the heavier loads at this stage of life. Fran is creeping ever so slowly toward the precipice of where he's going to need those ladies he posted photos of to get both him and his gear out of his car. Don't look back Fran--there's a guy in a black, hooded outfit carrying a scythe and he's hot on your heels. (He a few yards closer to me, though.)

The bottom line is: Don't count us old guys out yet. We still have a few good years left and intend to use them to their fullest--even if means lightening the load ever more than we have.

Cheers,

Gary